Posted on October 21, 2024
Saudi and German authorities collaborate on port management improvements, including port and workforce development.
The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Hamburg Port Authority and Hamburg Port Consulting to collaborate on innovation in port management.
The agreement aims to help build smarter, greener and more resilient ports, the parties said, by leveraging Mawani’s expertise in large-scale port management, HPA’s focus on port strategy and digitalisation, and HPC’s deep knowledge of global project and innovation management in the maritime sector.
Mawani reported 28m tonnes of throughput at its ports in September 2024, including 673,124 teu in containers. The authority has overseen massive growth in the Kingdom’s port throughput over the past decade. HPA works on digitalisation and intelligent port solutions through its smartPORT programme, while HPC has broad experience in port strategy and planning through its global consulting work.
The partners said their cooperation supports innovation in port operations, port development, and workforce capacity building, using digitalisation, port AI, automated logistics, advanced data-driven solutions, and optimisation of waterborne transport infrastructure to enhance overall port efficiency.
The MoU will encourage the sharing of knowledge, expertise and best practices to develop new and better approaches to port management, including through collaborative initiatives.
Lennart Kinau, HPA Board Member, said: “As global trade evolves, ports must adapt with intelligent, data-driven systems. This partnership strengthens our position at the forefront of digital transformation, allowing us both to enhance efficiency and governance in port management as well as to achieve new levels of sustainability along critical trade routes like the East-West corridor.”
For Mawani’s part, the MoU supports its ambition to collaborate and connect infrastructure on global trade routes, supporting Saudi Arabia’s targets to become a global logistics hub under Vision 20230.
Nils Kemme, CEO of HPC, said: “HPC has successfully delivered transformative port projects in over 130 countries for nearly half a century. This MoU builds on that legacy by focusing on the next generation of port solutions—automated systems, and smart digital platforms that redefine how ports operate and minimise environmental impact.”
The agreement was signed at the IAPH World Port Conference in Hamburg, Germany.
